Wedding Etiquette: MOG

“There she is, the woman you will, in a manner of speaking, soon be committing your life to.” No, this is not a thought fluttering around inside the Groom’s head as he gazes mesmerized at his soon-to-be-Bride. This is your own self talking to YOU Miss Bride, while you are looking right at the MOG.

Ok, so what is the MOG? Well, the MOG stands for the Mother-of-the-Groom. I am going to resist the urge to make any jokes about getting mobbed by the MOG during your wedding planning, as well as the actual ceremony and reception. Ok, maybe that was one little joke. I just could not resist!

Planning & Inspiration

Bridesmaids 2.0

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While those who we might choose as our bridesmaids at our weddings may not change with the seasons, the trending wedding apparel we see for bridesmaids is always transforming. The choices are dazzling and endless. For that reason, narrowing down how you make your choices, and being aware of what your bridesmaids may want and need, is a decision that requires some extra consideration.

Ruching

Firstly, you want your bridesmaids to feel beautiful in what they are wearing. The dresses should be flattering and comfortable. No amount of makeup or jewelry can complete a look more than confidence and appeal. One stylistic element that works on just about everyone is ruching. Ruching’s diagonal pattern brings the focus of the eye inward, creating a stream-lined silhouette.

Planning & Inspiration

Wedding Etiquette: Seating Your Guests

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To sit, or not to sit, that is the question. Well, ok maybe Shakespeare isn’t necessary for pondering the significance of who to seat where at your wedding reception. Then again, there are probably some heavier-esque things to consider. Firstly, be aware of any issues of physical ability. If grandma is in a wheelchair, be sure to seat her near an entrance/exit for easy access in case of fire, or in case of something more mundane, like needing to use the restroom. Also consider theproximity of her location to meal and beverage if you are doing a buffet-style reception. Even if she is not making her plate up herself, someone else will be no doubt assisting her, and so the distance to travel should be considered. Now remember, other family will also want to sit near her, like mom, and maybe even yourself, so you’ll have to consider her seat in relationship to other people, as well as her needs.

Planning & Inspiration

Bride Advice: What To Do About the Unwanted (But Necessary) Guests

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Most of us, if not all of us, can think of at least one unwanted guest we’ve consistently had to invite to all of our major family and milestone celebrations. Maybe it is the nosy aunt, the quintessential creepy uncle, the grandparent who states any and all opinions no matter how unfavorable to the audience. Perhaps it your soon-to-be-in-laws, an enormous weight if they are coming to your wedding and expect to be warmly welcomed.

What to do with these unwanted guests? You do not want them to mess up your special day in any way, including your mood. You deserve to really enjoy this day, right? But, you also do not want to be rude and give people the cold shoulder, especially the people you may be seeing every year after that for family events and who may have a powerful influence over your spouse, and even the children you may have. Read More

Planning & Inspiration

Why Do We Believe in “Something Blue” For Our Weddings?

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Hey soon-to-be married ladies and gents! You have most certainly heard this saying before:

Something old,
something new,
something borrowed,
something blue,
and a silver sixpence in her shoe.

Aside from the silver sixpence, we still adhere to using these charms for “good luck.” But, how did we come up with these charms for good luck in the first place?

According to Jacobs and Nutt, authors of Folklore, the rhyme appears to originate in 1898 England (so that’s where the sixpence comes from):

In this country an old couplet directs that the bride shall wear:— “Something old, something new, Something borrowed, something blue.” “The something blue” takes, I am given to understand, usually the form of a garter, an article of dress which plays an important part in some wedding rites, as, for instance, in the old custom of plucking off the garter of the bride. “The something old” and ” something blue” are devices to baffle the Evil Eye. The usual effect on the bride of the Evil Eye is to render her barren, and this is obviated by wearing “something borrowed”, which should properly be the undergarment of some woman who has been blessed with children: the clothes communicate fertility to the bride. (page 128)

Planning & Inspiration

Should You Use the RSVP Card?

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With the advent of social media and emails, it has become easier and more common for people to use these methods for their wedding invitations. The same goes for the RSVP, even if someone received a paper invitation that included a mail-able RSVP card. But just like a cyber-based invite loses the charm, thoughtfulness, and delight of opening a real invitation, so does missing the opportunity to open the RSVPs if you are the bride.

Without traditional RSVPs, weddings just aren’t the same.

Take it from these frustrated brides on WeddingWire. After spending so much time designing their invitations and intentionally including RSVPs (some with postage included) as a practical and special way to plan for the number of guests at theirwedding (not to mention the seating arrangement) not getting those RSVPs back feels like full-frontal rudeness. The truth is, it kind of is. The even harder truth is, it may not be that easy to get your guests to utilize the RSVP cards unless you essentially ONLY acknowledge the paper-based RSVPs. Policing people for the sake of your special day really seems counterintuitive and wholly unpleasant.

Planning & Inspiration